Collapsible clothes dryer



Sept. 6, 1960 c. ca. PlERiE COLLAPSIBLE CLOTHES DRYER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 15, 1959 FIELI.

INVENTCR: CHARLES ca. PIERIE ATTYS- Sept. 6, 1960 c. e. PIERIE COLLAPSIBLE CLOTHES DRYER s Sheets-She et 2 Filed May 15, 1959 FIE. 11.

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Sept. 6, 1960 c. GQPIERIE COLLAPSIBLE CLOTHES DRYER Filed May 15, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 T1 F154. I j

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26 /3 22 r r f mvsuron: CHARLES G. IPIERiE ATT vs.

Sept. 6, 1960 c. G PIERIE 2,951,595

COLLAPSIBLE CLOTHES DRYER Filed May 15, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. CHARLES 6. Pl ERIE AT'TYS Sept. 6, 1960 c. G. PIERIE COLLAPSIBLEI CLOTHES DRYER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 15, 1959 FIG IE].

I "ll lull] m. R E P G S u R 4 A H C ATT YS United States Patent COLLAPSlBLE CLOTHES DRYER Charles G. Pierie, Huntington and Creek Roads, Huntington Valley, Pa.

Filed May 15, 1959, Ser. No. 813,466

9 Claims. or. 211-5178) clothes lines stretched between hangers utilizes folding sections. for each hanger. My prior patents, Nos. 2,670,855 and 2,804,215 eliminate the necessity for a folding joint in any of the hangers while providing an entirely symmetrical structure having the desirable features inherent in using clothes lines that are parallel to each other yet which can be readily collapsed and stored.

The present invention while retaining all of the desirable functional characteristics in my prior patents provides a more compact and simplified construction which is highly economical to manufacture and assemble. The particular construction of the supporting arms affords a .sturdier support for the hangers when the clothes dryer is in the erected position and is much simpler and smoother to erect and collapse when desired.

Additionally the present invention provides improved means for attaching the clothes lines to the hangers so that they may be easily replaced when needed.

These and other objects of the invention and the various features and details of the construction and operation thereof are more fully set forth hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

. Fig. 1 is a plan view of la collapsible clothes dryer made in accordance with the present invention showing the same fully extended and set up for use;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the dryer in the extended position;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view showing the relative position of the parts in the partially collapsed position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 1; r Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view as seen from the line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 7--7 of Fig.- 2;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view partially in section of the supporting member for the ,clothes line hanger illustrating the connection between said member and its supporting arm;

9 is a sectional view taken on line 99 of Fig. 8; i

Fig. 10 is a detached perspective view illustrating various elements for securing the clothes line to the hanger; Fig. 11 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 10 showing the line being secured to the supporting arm;

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Fig. 12 is a sectional end view showing the line assembled to the hanger;

Fig. 13 is a sectional end view similar to Fig. 12 showing an alternate arrangement for securing the line to the hanger;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view illustrating the linkage between the strut and supporting arm;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14 showing the relationship of the strut and supporting arm in collapsed position;

Fig. 16 is a sectional plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 15 taken along line 1616 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of the saddle for hingedly mounting the arm at the joint;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating a modified fonn of connecting linkage between the strut and supporting arm;

Fig. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the embodiment of connecting linkage shown .in Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is an enlarged side elevational view of the linkage of Fig. 19; and

Fig. 21 is an enlarged side elevational view showing the relationship of the parts of the linkage when the dryer is in the collapsed position.

The present invention comprises a pair of parallel hangers between which a plurality of clothes lines are stretched. The hangers are held in position by four arms which extend radially from a collar slidably mounted on a center post or pole and actuatable longitudinally of the pole. A swivel connection affording pivotal movement about two perpendicular axes is provided between the ends of the arms and the hangers so that when the arms are pivoted into substantially parallel relationship to the center pole, the hangers swivel into a compact upright position closely adjacent the arms and the pole. In order to accomplish this, the opposite arms have similar turning action so that the arm supporting one end of the hanger is raised whereas the arm supporting the opposite en of the hanger is folded downwardly.

Strut members are pivotally connected to the center post at its upper end and are pivotally connected to the supporting arms at a point along the arm members to support the dryer in the erected position, and also to effect the desired pivotal action of the arm members when the dryer is collapsed. Accordingly, the two opposite rigid arm members, which are pivoted to a collar slidably mounted on the pole, pivot upwardly when the collar is actuated downwardly longitudinally of the pole. The other two opposite arm members are jointed to form inner and outer sections and are connected to the struts at the joint by a linkage mechanism so that when the collar is actuated downwardly, the outer sections fold downwardly about the jointed connection.

Referring now to the drawings, one form of clothes dryer made in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 1-17 inclusive comprising a central vertical pole 1, a pair of hangers 2 and 3 respectively and a framework 4 for supporting the hangers both in the extended and collapsed positions. When the dryer is set up for use (see Fig. 1) the members 2 and 3 assume the spaced apart relationship shown so as to stretch between them a plurality of parallel runs of clothes line 5. In the present embodiment the hangers 2 and 3 are tubular in form and are provided with a series of spaced apertures 6 for the reception of the clothes line 5, as will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

In accordance with the present invention, the framework 4 comprises four radially extending arms 10, 11, 12 and 13 and four strut members 14, 15, 16 and 17 adapted to provide vertical support for the arms 4 when the dryer is in the erected position. To this end the arms 11 and 13 which operate similarly are connected drical body portion 23a of suitable diameter to freely slide on the pole 1 and a plurality of radial projections 23b in the form of ears for pivotally supporting the inner extremity of the arm members. The arms are tu- .bular in form and may be flattened at their inner extremity to provide a face to-face contact at the pivotal connection to the ears. Strut members 15 and 17 support arms 11 and 13 respectively and are pivotally connected at their inner ends at a fixed point on the upper extremity of the pole 1 by a collar 24 and are pivotally connected at their outer ends to the arms 11 and 13 as &

indicated at 25 and 26. As shown in Fig. 6, the body portion 24a of the collar 24 is provided with suitable apertures 27 which register with suitable apertures in the pole for reception of a bolt 28 and 29 for immobilizing the collar 24 on the pole 1. The struts are pivotaily mounted at their inner ends between pairs of radially projecting ears 3!), 30 on the collar by a rivet 31.

The arms 16* and 12 are similar in construction and are connected at their outer extremities to the hangers 2 and 3 by swivel joints 20a and 21a and are pivotally secured at their inner extremities to the moveable collar 23 in a manner similar to arms 11 and 13 as described above. In order to provide opposite movement of the hangers 2 and 3 at their opposite ends, the arms and 12 are formed with -a folding joint at a point along their length, to define an inner section 10a and an outer section 10b and inner and outer sections 12a and 12b respectively. Struts 14 and 16 support the arms 10 and 12 and are pivotally connected at their inner ends to the fixed collar 24 and are pivotally connected by a linkage mech- .anism 40 to the arms 10 and 12 at their jointed connection. 7 The linkage and elements comprising the jointed connection are identical and will be designated hereinafter by identical reference numerals. Referring specifically to .the arm 10, the hinged connection forming the joint of the arm 10 comprises a pair of oppositely facing saddle members 41, 41. Each saddle member 41 is formed with an arcuate body portion 42 conforming to the contour of the arm and projecting interfitting ear portions 43 having openings 44 therein for reception of a pin 45 to permit pivotal movement of the outer section 1% with respect to ,the inner section 10a about the pin 45.

' As illustrated in Fig. 17, the opposed saddle members 41 are identical in form. To this end, one ear member 43a extends tangentially from the arcuate body portion '42 and the opposite ear member 43b is offset, so that when assembled as shown in Fig. 16, the inner-and outer sections of arm 10 are in axial alignment.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. l416 inclusive,

the linkage mechanism 40 comprises a pin 50 pivotally connecting the outer end of the strut 14 and the outer section 1015 of arm 10. A link 51 is pivotally connected to the strut 14 by a pin 52 at a fixed point inwardly of the pivotal connection at 50a and pivotally connected by a pin 46a to the inner section 10a of arm 10 adjacent the jointed connection. As shown in Fig. the longied in Figs. 18-21 inclusive wherein the strut 64 is pivoted vto the arm 60 through a connection affording movement ,of the strut within the plane of the inner and outer arm :sections. 60a and 60b respectively. To this end the strut I 4 64 is pivoted to the outer section 60b of the arm 60 by a pair of triangularly shaped plates 61, 61 secured on opposite sides of the outer section 60b of arm 60 in spaced parallel relation. The strut 64 is pivotally mounted 5 intermediate the upstanding portion of the triangularly shaped plates 61, by means of a pin 62 passing through registering openings 63 in the plates and strut. A connection is provided at 65 and comprises, as shown in Fig. a pair of links 66, 66 mounted on opposite sides of the arm and strut. The links are pivotally connected to the inner section 60a of the arm 60 by means of a pin 67 at one end and are pivotally connected to the strut by means of apin 68 at the other end at a fixed point on the strut inward of the pivotal connection to the plates. As seen by Fig. 19 the strut 64 overlies the arm so that the longitudinal axis of the strut is in vertical alignment with the longitudinal axis of the arm 60 and in a vertical plane passing through the axis of the pole 1.

In the operation of the device, the collar 23 is maintained in the elevated position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 by latch means. 70 which passes through registering apertures 71 in the pole 1. As shown, the pin 70 may be connected to the collar by a chain if desired. When the framework 4 is collapsed by removing the pin 70 and sliding the collar 23 downwardly on the pole 1, the arms 11 and 13 pivot upwardly relative to the collar 23, the hangers 2 and 3 moving bodily inward toward the pole. Simultaneously with the upward pivotal movement of the arms 11 and 13 relative to the collar 21, the inner sections 10a and 12a of arms 10 and 12 respectively pivot upwardly on the collar 21. The linkage and jointed connection caused the outer sections 10b and 12b to pivot about their jointed connection downwardly on the lower end of the strut 14. This effects a turning movement on the hangers 2 and 3 as they are collapsed into an upright position substantially parallel to the pole 1. The turning movement of the hangers 2 and 3 is made possible by the swivel connections 20, 21, 20a and 21a. Each of the swivel connections is identical and comprises an eye bolt 80, the eye portion 81 of which encircles the hanger and is rotatable at the axis thereof. The radially projecting portion 82 is received in an opening 83 of the arm so that the arm is free to move about an axis perpendicular to the axis of a hanger. The eye bolt is maintained in the arm by means of a nut 84 secured to the outer end of the radially projecting portion 82. Suitable guide means'are provided to position the bolt 80 on the hanger in a manner to preclude longitudinal displacement with respect to the hanger. As illustrated in Fig. 9, the guide means may comprise an annular recessed indentation formed in the hanger adapted to receive the annular eye portion 81 of the eye bolt 80.

The operation of the modification illustrated in Figs. 18-21 is similar to that described above, the arms 60 being pivotedto a collar 230 which operates like the collar 23.

In order to support a plurality of clothes lines between the hangers 2 and 3, a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures are provided in the hangers. In the present instance, the line is formed by separate runs. The terminal end of each run is provided with abutment means which may comprise, as illustrated in Fig. 10 a collet or ferrule 90 having a diameter which readily enters the aperture 6 of the hangers. In lieu of a collet and in the interest of economy, the terminal ends may be knotted as shown at 91. A split ring or Washer 92 having its ends spaced apart and off-set to form a helical convolution isprovided which abuts the collet or knot at the outer ends. The end portions of the washer 92 are off-set an amount less than the diameter of the line to prevent the Washer from slipping off of the clothes line yet is suitable to provide for threading thereof into the apertures. In order to secure the line to the hanger, the washer 92 is turned ina clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 11 so that The latch means may comprise a pin it is threaded into. and seats behind the opening to thereby mount the line intermediate the hangers as shown in FigllZQfi 'As shown in Figs. 12 and'l'i, the washer is deformed slightly when assembled to the hanger due to the tension in the line upon erection of the dryer. This deformation prevents inadvertent disassembly of the lines from the hanger. This construction provides a simple and effective means for securing individual runs of line to intermediate the hangers which has economical and operational advantages over the prior methods wherein a single continuous line was used. When it is desired to replace an individual run when it has broken or damaged, it is only necessary to cut the run of the line at its end portion adjacent the hangers and replace it with a new run. Accordingly it is obvious that it is not necessary to replace the entire line as was required in prior apparatus when only a portion thereof is damaged.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the present invention provides an improvement in clothes dryers of the collapsible type which is highly economical to manufactors and assemble and which is extremely efiicient and simple to operate.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended to limit the invention to such disclosures and changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the following claims. For example in Figs. 1-17, the struts 14, 15, 16, and 17 are pivotally connected at their outer extremity to the outer sides of arms 10, 11, 12 and 13 respectively, but it is to be understood that the pivotal connection may be to either side of the arm members.

I claim:

1. In a collapsible clothes dryer having a central pole adapted to be mounted in a vertical position, and a pair of elongated rigid unitary clothes line hangers adapted in the set-up position of the dryer to be horizontally disposed in spaced-apart relation at opposite sides of the central pole and in the collapsed position of the dryer to be disposed upright and closely adjacent to said pole; a supporting structure for said hangers for moving the same between set-up and collapsed positions of the dryer, a collar member slidable vertically on said pole between first and second positions for actuating said supporting structure between set-up and collapsed positions respectively, said supporting structure comprising a first pair of rigid arm members having swivel connections at their outer ends to diagonally opposite end portions of said pair of hangers and pivotally connected at their inner ends to said collar, a second pair of arm members having a swivel connection 'at their outer ends to the other end portions of said pair of hangers and pivotally connected at their inner ends to said collar, each of said second pair of arm members having a folding joint at a point intermediate its outer and inner end forming inner and outer sections, a first strut associated with each of said first arm members pivotally connected to a fixed point on said pole at its inner end and pivotally connected at its outer end to said first arm at a point intermediate the ends thereof, a second strut associated with each arm of said second arm members pivotally connected at its inner end to a fixed point of said pole, and a linkage mechanism connecting the outer end of said second strut to the associated second arm and operable to fold said arm at the joint upon actuation of said dryer to the collapsed position and retain said inner and outer sections in alignment against folding in the set up position of the dryer, and releasable means for retaining said collar in said first position.

2. In a collapsible clothes dryer, a central post adapted to be mounted in a vertical position, a pair of elongated rigid unitary clothes line supporting members adapted in the set-up position of the dryer to be horizontally disposed in spaced-apart relation at opposite sides of the central post and in the collapsed position of the dryer to be disposed upright and closely adjacent to said post, aplurali'ty of lines adapted to bemou-ntedl between said supporting members, means for supporting said lines at their outer extremities between said supporting members, a structure for moving said members between and supporting them in set-up and collapsed positions of the dryer, comprising a first pair of continuous rigid arm members having-theirouter ends substantially universally connectedto respectively oppositely related end portions of said supporting members, and pivotally mounted at their inner ends on an element adapted for sliding movement vertically of the post, a second pair of arm members having their outer ends substantially universally connected to the other end portions of said supporting members, and the inner ends pivotally mounted on said element vertically moveable of said post, each of said second arm members having a folding joint intermediate its outer and inner end forming inner and outer sections, a first strut associated with each arm of :said first arm member, pivotally connected to a fixed point on said post at its inner end and pivotally connected at its outer end to said first arm at a point intermediate the ends thereof, a second strut associated with each of said second arm members pivotally connected at its inner end to a fixed point on said post and a linkage mechanism connecting the outer end of said second strut to said second arm member operable to fold said arm at the joint only upon actuation of said dryer to the collapsed position.

3. A dryer according to claim 2 wherein the linkage connecting said second strut to said second arm comprises pivot means connecting the strut at its outer end to said outer section of the arm at a point adjacent the joint and at least one link pivotally connected at one end to the strut at a point adjacent its outer end inwardly of said pivotal connection to said arm and pivotally connected at its other end to said inner section of the arm adjacent the joint in said arm.

4. A dryer according to claim 3 wherein said pivot means comprises a pin passing through said outer section of the arm and the outer end of said strut.

5. A dryer according to claim 3 wherein said pivot means comprises a pair of spaced parallel supporting members mounted on said outer section of said arm and a pin mounted between said members mounting said strut at its outer end for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the axis of said arm.

6. A dryer in accordance with claim 5 wherein said strut and arm are coplanar with a vertical axis through the center of the pole in the erected and collapsed positions and wherein said struct is in substantial alignment with the outer section of said arm in the collapsed position.

7. A dryer according to claim 1 wherein said hangers are cylindrical having a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings therein and wherein said clothes lines are provided with an abutment means at the outer ends thereof and an annular split washer at each end adapted to be threaded into said opening to mount said line intermediate opposite hangers.

8. In a collapsible clothes dryer having a central pole adapted to be mounted in a vertical position and a pair of elongated rigid clothes line hangers mounted horizontally in the set-up position of the dryer in spacedapart parallel relation at opposite sides of the central pole, a plurality of lines adapted to be mounted intermediate said hangers, means defining a plurality of longitudin-ally spaced openings in said hangers, a collet fixed to the outer ends of the lines and an annular split washer carried at each end of said lines adapted. to be threaded into said openings to mount the line intermediate opposite hangers.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the ends of said split washer are off-set from one another to form a helical convolution, said ofi-set being smaller than the diameter of the line to preclude the washer from being rem'oved from the line and said' helical convolution 2 5 63 97 6 adapted to be threaded to the apertures and seat behind 2,795,337 said opening When's'aid washers are threaded into said 2,802,579 aperture." j "2 ,821',309

References Cited in the file of this patent 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 2,459,110 Midouhas Jan. 11, 1949 Jan. 28 1958 

